Just the name Mt. St. Helens says you are in Oregon. Everyone knows that this iconic volcanic peak, which was created with an eruption in 1980, is a draw for all adventurers. In this small group of like-minded people, you will cruise outside of Portland, talking all the way about the history, the culture, and the adventure you are about to embark on. You are accompanied by a naturalist guide who is with you because of his or her love of the region and life! Interpretive nature walks will be part of your excursion while you learn about the local ecosystems and how they emerge and evolve.

This is an amazing trip that will take you into the heart of Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. You will see the steaming volcano just a few miles from the crater and see how the ecosystem is still recovering from the eruption even yet today. Your walk with your guide will be accompanied by the information about how volcanoes are monitored and how events transpired on that fateful day in 1980.

Your excursion will take you into Washington so you can see for yourself the barren southern slopes of the volcano and the austere landscapes of the blast zone. Driving along Spirit Lake Highway, you will have a chance to spelunk into Ape Cave and experience the dark coolness. You should also enjoy a quiet walk along Hummocks Trail if you wish.

A picnic lunch is provided and just after, you will visit the Johnston Ridge Observatory so you can take the interpretive walk along the Eruption Trail. Here you will see the views of the crater, full of colorful flowers if your visit is in the mid to late part of summer. You can also visit the Johnston Ridge Observatory Visitor Center where any further questions about this event will be answered. Here you can feel comfortable learning how volcanoes are now monitored.

This exceptional experience is better for the fact that this small group is all there to learn about the same thing, and sometimes that is even better than going alone.